Door handle



Dec. 27, 1949 G. v. JAKEWAY DOOR HANDLE Filed May 29, 1947 INVENTOR Gem/0 M (fak BY (27 .0 Z

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 27, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR HANDLE Gerald V. Jakeway, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Micli., a corporation of Michigan Application my 29, 1947, Serial No. 751,199

20 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in door handles. V

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a handle for automobile doors. refrigerator doors and the like in which an outward pull on the handle serves to release the latch or bolt.

Second, to provide a handle assembly of this character which may be easily mounted on a door, the mounting means being concealed within a chamber in the door.

Third, to provide a structure of this character in which the bolt or latch releasing member is reciprocatingly mounted and so that its engaging end is substantially without swinging movement.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding. to line l--i of Fig. 2 of a door handle embodying the invention applied to a door, certain of the parts being shown conventionally.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig; 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in section on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 5 of a modified form or embodiment of. the invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in seclon on line 55 of Fig. 4.

In the accompanying drawing, I represents the door of an automobile having a chamber therein and an outer panel 2. This outer panel is, in the embodiment illustrated, conformed, such conforming. however constituting no part of the invention. 3 represents the door frame or casing. The latch is conventionally shown at 5, the keeper 6 being mounted on the door casing, a bolt being indicated at I. The latch is provided with a release member 8 having a foot portion 9. The details of the latch are not illustrated as they form no part of the invention.

On the inner side of the panel 2, I mount a supporting plate Ill having an inwardly projecting arm H at its outer end, the arm having a hole l2 therethrough adapted to receivethe screw I3. The edge of the door is provided with an opening l4 giving access to the screw.

The handle illustrated comprises an escutcheon shell or body member l5 formed of sheet metal and having inturned flanges it at its inner edge. The plate-like frame member I! desirably formed of heavier stock than the body or shell I5 is arranged within the body to engage the flanges l6 thereof. Y

I provide a yoke-like bracket l8 having flanges i9 on its arms engaging the escutcheon frame member 11, this bracket beingarranged through an opening 20 provided therefor in the plate It. The cross piece or member 2| of the bracket is provided with a threaded opening 22 receiving the screw I3 so that by means of the screw the escutcheon is clamped upon the door, a gasket 23 being preferably provided between the escutcheon and the door panel.

The handle designated generally by the numeral 24 is provided with a pair of inwardly pro- Jecting arms 25 pivotally supported by the pivot 26 carried by the bracket. This handle has a grip portion 21 with a top flange 28.

The latch actuating member or plunger 29 is in the form of a rod having a substantially straight inner portion 30 and a curved outer portion 3|. This rod is arranged through a bearing sleeve 32 arranged in an opening in the cross member of the bracket to reciprocatingly support the plunger.

The plunger is provided with a thrust collar 33 adjacent its outer end in thrust engagement with an abutment portion 34 provided therefor on the handle, the flattened end 41 of the plunger extending through a slot or hole 35 in this abutment.

A coiled spring 36 is arranged on the plunger, its outer end engaging the thrust collar 34 thereof and its inner end supported by the cross piece of the bracket.

It will be noted that the plunger engages the handle in substantially spaced relation to the handle pivot so that on an outward pull of the handle a combined swinging and longitudinal thrust is imparted to the plunger. The outer portion of the plunger is bowed or curved toward the pivot, this curved portion reciprocating through the bearing'sleeve portion 32 and the curvature is such that the inner end of the plunger which engages the foot portion 9 of the latch release member rocks somewhat thereon but does not have any substantial sliding movement. The inner end of the plunger is desirably spherically curved. The spring 36 serves the double function of a return spring for the handle and also a return spring for the plunger, urging the outer end of the plunger into continuous engagement with the abutment. The movement oi the plunger is reciprocated'.

With the parts thus arranged, an outward pull on the handle retracts the bolt and serves to open the door. The door may be closed by a push on the handle or on the door.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in a highly practical commercial embodiment thereof. 1 have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is:

l. The combination with a supporting plate having a laterally disposed arm at the outer end thereof, an escutcheon comprising a body member having inwardly projecting flanges at its inner edge and an apertured frame member disposed within said body member in engagement with its said flanges, an inverted yokelike bracket having out-turned flanges on its arms engaging said escutcheon frame member, the cross member of said bracket having a threaded opening therein opposed to said arm on said supporting plate, a screw carried by said arm having threaded engagement with the bracket cross member for securing the bracket and the escutcheon, a handle provided with inwardly projecting pivot arms disposed between the arms of said bracket, a pivot for said handle arms carried by said bracket, said escutcheon having an opening therein swingably receiving the inner end of the handle, and latch actuating means operatively associated with the handle.

2. The combination with a supporting plate havin a laterally disposed arm at the outer end thereof, an escutcheon, an inverted yoke-like bracket engaging said escutcheon, the cross member of said bracket having a threaded opening therein opposed to said arm on said supporting plate, a screw carried by said arm having threaded engagement with the bracket cross member for securing the bracket and the escutcheon, a handle provided with inwardly projecting pivot arms disposed between the arms of said bracket, a pivotfor said handle arms carried by said bracket, said escutcheon having an openin therein swingably receiving the inner end of the handle, and latch actuating means operatively associated with the handle.

3. The combination with a supporting plate having a laterally disposed arm at the outer end thereof, an escutcheon, an inverted yoke-like bracket engaging said escutcheon, the cross member of said bracket having a threaded opening therein opposed to said arm on said supporting plate, a screw carried by said arm having threaded engagement with the bracket cross member for securing the bracket and the escutcheon, 'a handle provided with inwardly projecting pivot arms disposed between the arms of said bracket, a pivot for said handle arms carried by said bracket, said escutcheon having an opening therein swingably receiving the inner end of the handle, and a latch actuating member operatively associated with the handle.

4. The combination with a supporting plate having a laterally disposed arm at the outer end thereof, an escutcheon comprising a body member having inwardly projecting flanges at its inner edge and an apertured frame member disposed within said body member in engagement with its said flanges, an inverted yoke-like bracket having out-turned flanges on its arms engaging said escutcheon frame member, the

. cross member of said bracket having a threaded opening therein opposed to said arm on said supporting plate, a screw carried by said arm havcutcheon, a handle provided with inwardly projecting arms disposed between and pivotally mounted on the arms of said bracket, and a latch actuating member mounted on said bracket and operatively associated with the handle.

6. A door handle comprising in combination -a supporting plate, an escutcheon, an inverted yoke-like bracket disposed through said supporting plate and engaging said escutcheon, means carried by said supporting plate for securing the bracket and through it said escutcheon, a handle provided with inwardly projecting arms disposed between the arms of said bracket and pivotally mounted thereon, a latch actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted in the cross member of said bracket and provided with a thrust collar adjacent its outer end, said plunger having a substantially'straight inner portion and a curved outer portion, the handle having an abutment provided with an opening receiving the end of said plunger, and a coiled return spring arranged on said plunger between said thrust collar thereof and the cross member of said bracket and acting to yieldingly urge the plunger against said abutment and to retract the handle.

7. A door handle comprising in combination a supporting plate, an escutcheon, an inverted yoke-like bracket disposed through said supe porting plate and engaging said escutcheon, means carried by said supporting plate for se; curing the bracket and through it said escutcheon, a handle provided with inwardly projecting arms disposed between the arms of said bracket and pivotally mounted thereon, a latch actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted in the cross member of said bracket and operatively associated with the handle, and a return sprin for said handle.

8. A door handle comprising in combinatlon a supporting plate, an escutcheon, a bracket disposed through said supporting plate in retaining engagement with said escutcheon, means carried by said supporting plate for securing said bracket, a handle pivotally mounted on said bracket at the inner side of said supporting bracket and provided with a thrust collar. the

5 V in spaced relation to its pivot whereby an outward pull on the handle reciprocates the plunger to latch releasing position, and a spring biasing said handle and plunger toretracted position.

9. A door handle comprising in combination a supporting plate, an escutcheon, a bracket operatlvely associated with said escutcheon and projecting through said supporting plate. means for securing said bracket to said supporting plate, a lever pivotally mounted on said bracket, a latch actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted on plunger engaging the handle in spaced relation to the pivot so that an outward pull onthe handle imparts an inward thrust to the plunger.

11. A door handle comprising in combination a (supporting plate, a bracket, a handle provided with an inwardly projecting arm pivotally mounted on the bracket, a latch actuating plunger provided with a thrust collar adjacent its outer end, the handle having anabutment coacting with the end of the plunger, a bearing member through which said plunger is slidably disposed tiltably mounted on said bracket, and a coiled return spring arranged on said plunger between taidthrust collar thereof and said bearing member and acting to yieldingly urge the plunger against the abutment and to retract the handle.

12. A door handle comprising in combination a supporting plate, a bracket, a handle provided with an inwardly projecting arm pivotally mounted on the bracket, a latch actuating plunger, the handle having an abutment coacting with the end of the plunger, a bearing member through which said plunger is slidably disposed tiltably mounted on said bracket, and a spring biasing said plunger and handle to return position.

13. A door handle comprising in combination a supporting plate, a bracket, a handle provided with an inwardly projecting arm pivotally mounted on the bracket, a latch actuating plunger provided with a thrust collar, the handle having an abutment coacting therewith, a bearing member on said bracket through which said plunger is slidably disposed, and a coiled return spring arranged on said plunger between said thrust collar thereof and said bearing member and acting to yieldingly urge the plunger against the abutment and to retract the handle.

. 14. A door handle comprising in combination a supporting plate, a bracket, a handle provided with an inwardly projecting arm pivotallymounted on the bracket, a latch actuating plunger, the handle having an abutment coacting with and provided with a cross piece, a handle having an inwardly projecting arm pivotally mounted on said support, a latch actuating plunger reciprohandle having an abutment provided with an collar of the plunger against said handle abut-' ment and the handle to retracted position, the curved portion oi the plunger reciprocating through the bracket and compensating for the swinging movement of the outer end thereof whereby the inner end of the plungeriravels with a substantially straight line movement.

18. A door handle structure comprising a supporting bracket adapted to be mounted on a door, a handle having an inwardly projecting arm pivotally mounted on said bracket, a latch actuating plunger reclprocatingly mounted on said bracket and having thrust engagement with said handle in spaced relation to the handle pivot, said plunger having a curved portion detachably engaging said bracket, and a coiled spring arranged on said plunger and acting to urge the plunger and handle to retracted position, the curved portion of the plunger reciprocating through the bracket and compensating for the swinging movement of the outer end thereof whereby the inner end of the plunger travels with a substantially straight line movement.

bracket and having its outer end connected to said handle in substantially spaced relation to the handle pivot whereby a combined reciprocating and swinging movement is imparted to the outer end of the plunger when the handle is actuated, the plunger having a curved portion adjacent its outer end reciprocatingly associated with the support and compensating for the swinging movement of the plunger as it is reciprocated on the support whereby the inner end of the plunger is reciprocated without substantial swinging movement.

18. The combination with a latch including a reciprocating release member, of a handle support, a handle having an inwardly projecting arm pivotally mounted on said support, a plunger reciprocatingly mounted on said support in thrust engagement with said handle in substantially spaced relation to the handle pivot whereby a swinging movement is imparted to the outer end of the plunger when the handle is actuated on its pivot, the inner end of the plunger being spherically curved and being in thrust engagement with the said release element of the latch, said plunger being bowed toward the pivot between its point of reciprocating engagement with the support and its engagement with the handle, and a coiled spring arranged on said plunger between the support and the handle and acting to return the handle to its retracted position and maintain the plunger in thrust engagement with the handle.

19. The combination with a latch including a reciprocating release member, of a handle support, a handle having an inwardly projecting arm pivotally mounted on said support, a plunger reciprocatingly mounted on said support in thrust engagement with said handle in substantially catingly mounted on the cross piece 01 said 1| spaced relation to the handle pivot whereby a swinging movement is imparted to the outer end of the plunger when the handle is actuated on its pivot, the inner end of the plunger being spheri-. cally curved and being in thrust engagement with the said release element of the latch, said plunger being bowed toward the pivot between its point of reciprocating engagement with the support and its engagement with the handle, and a spring acting to return the handle and plunger to retracted position. a

20. A door handle assembly comprising a supporting bracket, a handle pivotally mounted on said supporting bracket for swinging movement thereon, an actuating plunger in engagement with said handle in spaced relation to the handle 15 8 pivot, said plunger being in reciprocating engagement with said bracket, said plunger being curved toward the handle pivot, and a return spring for said handle and plunger.

GERALD V. JAKEWAY.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,404,845 Joachim July 30, 1946 2,440,162 Anderson Apr. 20, 1948 

